"Zubiya- are you alright?" Asfand asked. He was getting wondering what could be the reason that she would to discuss with him.

He couldn't even contemplate that she would ever fear . God, please no. He would never be that type of husband that a wife would fear. Never.

"Asfand." He heard Zubiya choke out almost in tears.

"Zubiya, get ready - I'm coming. I'll pick you up in 15 minutes." Asfand said in the phone and ended the call.

Asfand quickly found one of his colleague and informed him that he was signing out for the day and would make-up the rest of the shift on another day.

As he walked out of the hospital and towards his car he realized what a fool he had been.

He had let silence seep between him and Zubiya. He had been so busy in his duty and after seeing her busy as well he had thought it was best for her to let her rest instead of spending time with her. He had presumed without considering what she might want. And she wasn't the type of person to take the first action. She must have thought that he would mind if she were to call him during his duty hours.

Damnit. He needs to sit down and discuss with her about this topic thoroughly. Before he had never required to share his duty schedules with anyone. Not even his mother. But now Zubiya, who was his fiancé, and is going to become his wife in a year deserved to know. He needed to let her in and share everything with her. Or else how would he expect her to do the same with him?

As Asfand pressed down on his horn, Zubiya came opened the main gate and stepped out with a tiffin box held between her hands.

Letting Gaiti bhabi into his plan was a good idea. She must have suggested Zubiya to pack some food for themselves. He hadn't realized how hungry he was in the hurry but seeing the tiffin box he felt his stomach grumble with hunger.

"Assalamulaikum." Zubiya wished as she entered the car and finally looked at him after closing the door.

"Walaikum-Assalam. How are you? Thanks for bringing some food... I didn't realize I was hungry until now."

"I'm good. Gaiti bhabi suggested that you might not have had lunch so I should make something for you." Zubiya said, smiling slightly at him.

"So, what did you prepare for me?" Asfand asked as he started up the car and started driving.

"In the short time that you had allowed I was unable to prepare anything other than some mac and cheese. I haven't even tasted it so I haven't got any idea how it has turned out to be." Zubiya said, shrugging her shoulders.

"It's prepared by you. I'm sure it will be good." Asfand said as gave her a wide smile.

"Yeah, sure.." Zubiya mumbled as she looked forward. "So, where are we going?"

"You haven't visited the Rawal Lake have you? We are just heading over there for a visit."

"Okay.." Zubiya said softly as she glanced back at Asfand, who seemed a bit nervous.

After a few minutes of silence, Asfand cleared his throat loudly as he glanced at Zubiya nervously.

"So, why don't I taste the food you prepared? It's an another one hour drive. I don't think I can survive another hour without having anything. Did you have your lunch by the way?" Asfand asked her.

Zubiya nodded her as she opened the box and forwarded it to him.

Asfand tilted his head towards the box without removing his eyes off the road as he said, "Feed it to me. My hands are kind of busy right now."

Zubiya sighed softly as she took the fork in her hand and piling some macaroni on it carefully lifted it to his mouth which was already open awaiting it's food. As Asfand closed his mouth around the fork and started chewing, he blinked numerously for a couple minutes, before he slowly nodded his head and hummed.

"Mmmm... It's- it's really good." Asfand said as he gave her a smile.

Zubiya looked at him closely, sensing a weird behavior in him.

"So, you want more?" Zubiya asked, and noticed Asfand's eyes bulge slightly before he shook his head almost in panic.

"Um.. no. I mean- I just wanted to taste it.. I'll eat it once we reach the lake." Asfand planted a smile on his face as he glanced back at Zubiya.

Zubiya slightly narrowed her eyes at him and pointed out, "But you just said that you were hungry right now and wouldn't be able survive an hour without having anything...."

"Did I just say that? Well.. um.. it's alright. I think I can survive." Asfand said as he laughed nervously.

"Okay... Let me give it a try since you just mentioned it's very good." Zubiya stated as she looked at him closely.

"What- no! I mean- " Asfand exclaimed as glanced at Zubiya with a panic-stricken look on his face. But Zubiya had already taken a bite of the macaroni. She chewed at the food slowly before grabbing for the tissue box in front her, taking out a couple tissues before she spat out the macaroni with a grimace on her face.

"Eugh! Yuck! How did you even eat this?! There is so much oil and vinegar in this!" Zubiya cried out as she looked at him with an outrageous expression on her face.

"I- I just didn't want to hurt your feelings. I already disappointed you." Asfand said quietly.

Zubiya's expression softened as she smiled at him teasingly. "So you were ready to deal with getting an upset stomach instead of telling it to my face that my cooking is bad?"

"Yeah-Yeah, I guess.." Asfand mumbled without looking at her.

Zubiya shook her head softly as she closed the tiffin box and kept it away. She smiled softly to herself as she thought - ...

After they reached the lake they walked silently for a few minutes before they found a restaurant with a beautiful view and finally decided to sit and have something.

Finishing their lunch during which they talked about everything and nothing without approaching the topic that they were supposed to talk about; they just simply sat at their table for a few minutes taking in the beautiful site in front of them.

"Take a walk with me?" Asfand finally asked Zubiya, who nodded her head and both started making their towards the pathway.

Lost in their thoughts they finally found a bench and took a seat.

"Zubiya.. I'm really sorry." Asfand finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry, too." Zubiya mumbled as she looked down while fingering her ring with her thumb.

"Why are apologizing? It's my fault that I didn't inform you my about my shift hours and everything..." Asfand said, as he looked at her quizzically.

"I didn't ask you. I should have - but I think I'm still not familiar with this new relation even though we have been engaged for 5 years. But I'm still unsure on many aspects - if I'm supposed to do this or not.. it feels as if I'm clueless here!" Zubiya said, her hands clenched tight in frustration.

Asfand put a hand on both of hers and unclenched them.

"I feel the same sometimes. So I think we are on the same boat. You don't have to feel alone here. We need to open up to each other more. Share everything. Not only because we are about to become husband and wife. But also because we are best friends. A team. And unity makes one stronger." Asfand said, smiling at her softly.

Zubiya calmed down at his words and mostly his touch. She felt at peace now because she has finally let everything off her chest. And it made her really uncomfortable not sharing anything with Asfand.

She laid her head on his shoulder as Asfand held her shoulders. And they both enjoyed some alone time to themselves before heading back to their home.

Finally done with dealing with their 'Problem #1' after they began their relationship everything went well for a while.

The next problem arose just a few days before Gaiti bhabi went into labor.

Zubiya, finally done with her evening shift waited for her car outside the hospital. She shivered slightly against the cold breeze as she watched the rain pouring from the sky.

She smiled as she breathed in the musty smell that came from the wet mud. Sighing heavily, her heart hoped Asfand would come to pick her up and they would spend some time in this beautiful weather despite knowing he was currently at home, sleeping.

"Zubiya! Are you still waiting for your car?" A voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Afzal, the hot-shot new doctor who had recently joined their hospital walking towards her. Even though, he was really good-looking he was actually quite humble. Really sincere to his work and his wife. Yes. It came as a quite surprise that he was already married, have been for more than 7 years and has a little 2-year old daughter; in the process breaking a few hearts. Being shy, he had hardly made any friends among his colleague. But he had felt a quiet kinship to her (probably because she herself didn't have any friends) and they had once or twice shared a few conversations among each other.

"Yes. I think it's stuck in jam." Zubiya replied, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Come with me. I'll drop you at your house. It's already getting late and I don't feel comfortable leaving you here alone." Afzal suggested.

Zubiya, unsure what to do hesitated.

"Ok. If you are feeling uncomfortable why don't you inform your mamu and let me talk with him?" Afzal said, as he could clearly read her hesitation on her face.

After informing her mamu about the situation and letting Afzal talk with him, she finally agreed.

As she bid goodbye to Afzal after stepping out of his car and finally walked into the house, she failed to notice a familiar pair of eyes on her.